The awkward truth is that being a celebrity in Australia is just not a great experience at all. Despite a short-term boost to Australia’s popularity amongst celebs during the pandemic, a return to normalcy is on the horizon as the celebrity exodus begins. We’ve gathered some choice comments to show just how sketchy our great nation’s rep is amongst the wider celeb world…
What Is “The Hemsworth Effect”?
Until recently, the New South Wales town was riding a localised property boom, partly thanks to the so-called “Hemsworth effect” – a term coined by James Weir’s book of the same name – where the popularity of Byron Bay among celebrities (as well as just wealthy Australians more broadly) at the height of the COVID crisis drove up property prices and made it harder than ever for locals to afford a place there.
However, it seems that Byron Bay – which has long been a go-to for A-list celebrities – and Australia writ large could be in for a run of bad luck, with local trends set to change for the worse. But why are the stars so keen to fly the Aussie nest?
Why Don’t Celebs Like Australia?
Australia may be known for its blistering sense of humour, love of sports, and no-nonsense attitude but – let’s face it – we’re not exactly a glitz and glamour nation. Lacking a Hollywood Hills, Mulholland Drive, or 90210, antipodean celebs just don’t get to bask in the luxury and glamour that their American counterparts do.
Security’s a concern for A-listers too. Celebs may be concerned with basking in their own brilliance, but keeping their loved ones sand possessions safe is – just as for the rest of us – a paramount concern. Here, even the rich and famous don’t always feel safe in their own home. Look at Guy Sebastian, who’s been in a legal battle with his neighbour because of his giant grey celebrity mansion.
So it’s no wonder that so many Australian celebrities choose to pack their bags and head to the land of freedom, opportunity, and Maccers: the great US-of-A. After all, America loves its celebrities – entire cities are basically built for their benefit.
Americans are all-around keener to embrace celebrities’ eccentricities, indulgences, and shameless displays of wealth. Whereas we like to cut down a tall poppy, Americans love nothing more than to celebrate the ridiculous, beautiful results of their movie and media-saturated landscape.
That’s why we thought we’d put together some of the most cutting comments and criticisms made of Australia by the great, good, and beautiful. If you want to win them back, consider this a much-needed reality check. If you can’t stand them, revel in the scorn…
Brutal Celebrity Quotes About Australia
Johnny Depp
When it comes to international superstars, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard won’t be making a return to Australia any time soon. The couple faced the wrath of Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce after their dogs, Pistol and Boo, were brought into the country illegally.
Depp went as far as joking that he “killed and ate” his pets under direct orders of a “sweaty, big-gutted man from Australia,” while Heard simply stated that they would be avoiding the land down under as much as possible because of certain politicians.
It seems like the duo won’t be the only ones skipping our sunburnt country, with a number of other celebrities expressing their disdain for Australia.
Jerry Seinfeld
During a 1998 comedy tour, Seinfeld star, Jerry Seinfeld, went as far as calling Melbourne “the anus of the world.” The New Yorker’s beef with the city was sparked by a wait for a table at Mario’s, a popular Brunswick Street restaurant notorious for not taking bookings. Surely, Mario couldn’t have been worse than the Soup Nazi?
Tyler the Creator
The Odd Future rapper found himself in hot water during a visit to Brisbane in 2011 when he encountered a “racist a–hole” at a local KFC. He later took to Twitter, labelling the city “racist as f***” and claiming that he felt uncomfortable.
Although the rapper conceded that Melbourne was “cool” and Australia was “f***ing fun overall,” he cancelled his most recent tour to the country, claiming feminist group Collective Shout had him “banned.”
Meatloaf
Meat Loaf may have performed at the AFL Grand Final in 2011, but he won’t be making a comeback any time soon.
After being criticised for his guest appearance at the Collingwood v Geelong game, the singer referred to his critics as “butt smellers” and called event organisers “jerks” for not providing him with a live piano or proper sound check.
He even went as far as to discourage other artists from performing at the Grand Final in the future…
Frank Sinatra
Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra’s 1974 tour of Australia reportedly inspired the film The Night We Called It A Day, and not in a good way…
Sinatra’s alleged mafia connections and womanising behaviour were widely reported by the Australian media, leading to a disastrous tour. The crooner referred to female Australian journalists as “buck-and-a-half hookers” while on stage in Melbourne, causing an uproar.
Airport workers refused to refuel his private jet, and media camped out at his Sydney hotel for three days before he begrudgingly apologised for the “inconvenience” he had caused.
It was only the lure of big bucks that got him to return to Australia in 1988 to headline the opening of Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast.
So, next time you bump into an A-lister on Oxford St., remember to be polite… the nation’s cool-factor is at stake.